Slide stop plate assembly for a handgun

Abstract

Disclosed is a slide stop assembly for a handgun including a slide stop pivotal from an inoperative position into a position engaging the slide when the latter is in a recoiled position. A generally flat, shallow V-shaped, side plate is secured along one side of the frame against rotation or rocking movement. The securement is effected by engagement of the side plate at spaced points therealong with the respective hammer and sear pins of the handgun. One leg of the side plate extends forwardly and terminates in a tab. A spring biased plunger on the slide stop engages the tab to preclude inadvertent pivoting of the slide stop from its inoperative detented position into its slide stop position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. For use in a handgun having a frame, a slide carried by the frame for movement between firing and recoil positions, and a hammer, a slide stop assembly comprising: a slide stop carried by said frame for movement between a first position permitting free movement of the slide relative to the frame between its firing and recoil positions and a second position engageable with the slide in its recoil position to retain the slide in such latter position;   an elongated side plate for securement along one side of the frame and having elongated leg portions forming an apex at their junction intermediate the ends of said side plate,   a pin secured to and extending laterally from the apex of said side plate into the frame to secure the side plate to the frame and serve as the pivot pin for the hammer, and   means for securing one leg of said side plate to the frame whereby said pin and said securing means secure said side plate to said frame against rotation, an end portion of the other leg of said side plate engaging said slide stop to releasably retain the latter in said first position thereof and enable movement of said slide stop into its second position retaining the slide in the recoil position.   
     
     
       2. A slide stop assembly according to claim 1 wherein said end portion includes a flat and said slide stop includes a spring biased plunger engageable with said flat for retaining the slide stop in said first position. 
     
     
       3. A slide stop assembly according to claim 2 wherein said plunger is movable in a generally horizontal direction generally parallel to the motion of the slide when in said first position thereof, said flat forming an acute angle with the vertical to prevent movement of said slide stop from its first position into its second position without depressing said plunger. 
     
     
       4. A slide stop assembly according to claim 1 wherein said securing means includes a bifurcation on the end of said one leg, and a sear pin extending generally at right angles to said side plate and secured in said frame having an end thereof disposed between the bifurcated one leg end. 
     
     
       5. A slide stop assembly according to claim 4 wherein said end portion includes a flat and said slide stop includes a spring biased plunger engageable with said flat for retaining the slide stop in said first position. 
     
     
       6. A slide stop assembly according to claim 2 wherein said plunger is movable in a generally horizontal direction generally parallel to the motion of the slide when in said first position thereof, said flat forming acute angle with the vertical to prevent movement of said slide stop from its first position into its second position without depressing said plunger. 
     
     
       7. A slide stop assembly according to claim 6 wherein the second mentioned pin constitutes a sear pin for the handgun.